Talk:Sarika Singh
I find that this whole issue is in many ways blown out of all proportion. That each of us sikhs, should have the freedom to practice our religous beliefs, as should others goes without saying. That each of us should be able to wear apparel which denotes our faith is a more complex argument. Almost all religions have religous apparel which denotes who they are. I can accept that a beliver who has taken Amrit, will hold this are absolutely important, but those of us who have not, which included Sarika make all sorts of compromises in our lives which do not denote our faith.
Sarika Singh, well the name should speak for itself. The word Singh denotes the male of the faith. She should be called Sarika Kaur. It is anoying and a dimunition of the faith when females refer to themselves as "Singh". If that is an exporession of her faith, then she is sadly wrong. Perhaps she should reflect on this before taking the high ground. Perhaps those in support should also reflect on this also.
Is is going to be the next case that a BNP supprter who alledgedly converts to Sikhism (remember that he does not have to take Amrit to do so) will be allowed into a school with a Kirpan?
I am all for the maintenance of faith, I am sikh myself, but it is about time that we stopped indoctrinating our children and useing them as the means for our own battlkes. This girls education has been materially affected. her ability to see the contradiction of her faith and her name has been impaired. What chance do es she have in life, when those around her do not have the good sense to counsel her properly.
If she is so committed, then let her take Amrit and change her name. let us see her committment.
For the sake of our faith, which is robust and beutiful, let us not taint it with squalbles, butas the Granth sahib says, consider the whole sangat.
Where do you draw the line?
In a similar case concerning the turban, what would be your stand? Do you think that a Sikh male should be prohibited from attending school without his turban. Who decides when it is right for one to start wearing the 5Ks.
If a non-Sikh decides to become a Sikh, then who decides which of the 5Ks he or she should be allowed to wear and in which order - Or do you think that he or she should not wear any of the 5Ks until they take amrit?
Surely these are thinks that the individual should be allowed to choose themselves. Sarika should have the choice to decide which of the 5Ks she wants to wear or not wear as she becomes more closer to her faith. The State does not have a right to infringe on this right.
Singh is part of her chosen surname which is Watkins-Singh - presumably a connection to her mother who is Sikh. She has not taken amrit and does not use the name Kaur. This is perfectly acceptable for someone who is not a baptised Sikh. Bhul-chuk-maff, das Hari Singhtalk 23:24, 19 June 2008 (UTC)
What is a practising Sikh
Some ridicule has been aimed at Sikhs who use only S. or K. and go by their tribal or village name, as some hold that using more than Singh, as a last name, makes them less of a Sikh. I thought Sarika was just using her father's name--western style as Singh. (now i see it is her mother who is a Sikh/comment 2)
Many comments have been written on sikhiwiki's pages questioning Sikhs who cut their hair or shave or wear a hat other than a turban. Some say they should not even be considered Sikhs.
This page states that the Kara must be worn by all Sikhs. I had thought that it was only a requirement of those who had done Pahul and became members of the Khalsa, who keep and honor them out of their respect for Guru Gobind Singh.
Guru Nanak had refused to wear the twice born string of the higher castes of the religion that he was raised in, seeing it as an empty and meaningless ritual or 'piece of apparel'. Yet his Purohit, who pleaded with him to wear it, thought that it was a Holy Symbol of the religion (many Hindus probably still do?). Before Guru Gobind Singh ji's edict was a kara anything to a Sikh more than a steel bangle? Some Sikhs seem to be wondering about that today. A recent poster here (possibly a link to Sikhnet) had a picture of an arm with a Kara, asking the question--does this make you a Sikh. It went on to stress that living ones life like the Gurus lived theirs--being a Gursikh (walking the walk if you will) was the more important thing.
Of course, it would be the best of all worlds if anyone was able to wear any item associated with their religion, but shouldn't we also wonder what is behind the school's policy:
- 1. are they trying to stop violence--i.e. students quarreling over religions?
- 2. just enforcing a uniform look, and keeping richer kids from harming the feelings of poorer students who can't aford diamonds?
- 3. or are they just picking on a Sikh girl who is tuning into her religious heritage?
Is a cross (a symbol Jesus would most likely not have worn) less of a symbol of the Christian religion. There was no leader who like Guru Gobind Singh who asked or, as is often written, gave the 5 K's to his devotees. Yet many Christians feel that their cross is part of their religion as many Jews feel the Magen David is part of theirs.
How about the Swastika, a sacred or respected symbol for Hindus and Budhists--if a skinhead student at Sarika Singh's school wants to wear one is that o.k.?
I can only guess that the Kara, Cross, Magen David are prohibited so that some skinhead can't wear a swastikka. That is the only reason i can think of for the policy. Of course reasons 1 and 2 make some sense as well.
Just for clarity, while the 5 K's are associated with the Khalsa are there any written statements about their use? Does it say somewhere that the small comb must be worn in ones turban or Hair or can one keep it in a pocket like my small sandalwood one which could never really be used to comb my hair. The underwear never being in sight (no Sikh child would take to wearing the low pants not under attack in American schools) has never been a problem. I've seen Sikhs who wear their Kirpan as a little jewelry like ornament on a chain around their neck. One Khalsa Kaur at the Gurdwara last year had purchased her's at a jewelry store in Amritsar. She considered it to be meeting the requirement of having a Kirpan. Is there any thing written on the size of a kirpan?
Does the Kara have to be worn around one's wrist? Would a person be not in compliance if it was worn around a chain under a sweater or in a pocket? Many older sucessful Sikhs wear a golden Kara instead of steel is this keeping with tradition or altering it? Don't know where to find these answers.
